Significant 1945 Joe Louis Signed Letter - Signed Joe L. Barrow (Birth Name) - PSA/DNA GEM MINT 10

Offered here is what may be the single finest Joe Louis signed letter in existence with regard to content. This historically significant one-page typed letter, is dated March 1945 and is written to "Collector of Internal Revenue." PSA/DNA has encapsulated the letter and graded the signature GEM MINT 10. In his letter, he writes to the I.R.S. explaining his position in the military and that he will not be able to pay the due income taxes. In full: Dear Sir: I am enclosing my tax return for 1944. At present I am a Sgt. in the army, and am unable to pay the tax. However I am filling the return. Yours respectfully, Joe. L. Barrow (signed) Sgt. Joe L. Barrow Camp Shanks, N. Y. Louis has scripted his birth name, "Joe L. Barrow," in blue fountain pen. At the time this letter was written, Louis owed a significant amount of back taxes to the IRS, which grew even higher in the following years. This overwhelming debt is what eventually forced Joe Louis out of retirement and back to boxing professionally to earn income. The IRS continued to pursue the monies owed for decades until they absolved him of his tax debt in the 1960s. The letter (8.5 x 11 inches) displays a staple hole at the top and light creases. In Very Good condition overall. Accompanied by a vintage new service photograph capturing Joe Louis in his military uniform with his childhood friend Ethel Waters (prominent Hollywood actress). Vg condition. Total: 2 items (signed letter and vintage photo).